Three-time gold medalist Stephanie Rice is facing criticism from her native Australia as she recently snapped a photo of herself wearing a revealing swimsuit that was a gift from designer Ellie Gonsalves.
Rice is only days away from departing for the 2012 London Olympics where she will be defending her women’s individual 200m and 400m medley titles as well as helping her team win the 4x200m freestyle.
The 24 year-old swimmer who has been no stranger to suggestive photos in the past didn’t think twice when she posted her photo to the popular photo sharing app Instagram, but apparently the idea of a swimmer wearing a swimsuit is too much for some people to bear.
“Thank you to the Gorgeous @elliegonsalves for my birthday @veveswimwear bikini,” she tweeted.
The initial reaction by the public seemed to center around the possible conflict that would arise should her swimsuit sponsor, Speedo, find a problem with her donning another designers apparel. However according to Adelaide Now, Rice’s representative quickly spoke up to let the public know her relationship with Speedo has been nonexistent for a while and not to worry about a possible relationship with designer Ellie Gonsalves.
“No, Stephanie isn’t an ambassador for Ellie Gonsalves, she just loves their stuff. She doesn’t have any relationship with Speedo anymore so there are no restrictions there” they said.
The swimmer that has recently been polled as one of Australia’s favorite athletes soon faced a backlash from Twitter followers claiming that the photo went too far, especially in light of of the recent gun controversy surrounding other Australian Olympic team members.
Do you think Stephanie Rice’s photo below is too racy to be posted online given her position with the Australian Olympic swim team?
"Looking at the photo now, trying real hard to be offended. Just give me a few more minutes…"
Best comments about the disturbing picture http://bit.ly/MU1xzr.
SHE'S A SWIMMER! She can show her body to swim for our country but not on her own whim?
She is a picture of health and beauty.
she is beautiful…. there is nothing to be ashamed of.
She is wearing a bikini.
I hve seen more revealing suits (on people much less fit and able to carry it off) at our neighborhood pool. give the girl a break!
With a bod like that, I'd live in a bikini lol
As an athlete, and a woman, I find nothing wrong with this. The people complaining are probably fat and ugly.
Geez La-weez. It's a bikini. This isn't an official photo. She can wear what she likes. Why the hubbub, bub?
Everyone is way too concerned with way too much stuff these days. Does that pic have anything to do with her performance? No. So, who cares?! Let her be!
I think they should wear that during the Olympics…..it would make the event so much better.
The pictures wouldn't be so bad if Rice didn't have a huge dorsal fin where most people have thier noses.
It's not my taste, but offensive? Just hit almost any South FL beach and and see the hordes of overweight old men in thongs and offensive really takes on a new meaning. OMG, marble bag flashbacks…must purge those memories right away.
It's not my taste, but offensive? Just hit almost any South FL beach and and see the hordes of overweight old men in thongs and offensive really takes on a new meaning. OMG, marble bag flashbacks…must purge those memories right away.
Probably boost viewship by men 16- 100 for those events . LOL.
exactly
My best friend makes $375 per hour on the internet, working from home few hours daily just using the Google! I have joined too recently and already made $1000, just last week! For more info visit url.az/careertrends.
My best friend makes $375 per hour on the internet, working from home few hours daily just using the Google! I have joined too recently and already made $1000, just last week! For more info visit url.az/careertrends.
She looks great. People who do like it……well too bad for you.